A panel and interactive forum presented by the Buddhist Churches of America - Center for Buddhist Education, to be hosted at the Buddhist Church of Florin in Sacramento. The program will be preceded by an optional service at 9:30 am. Registration includes lunch.

Guest panelists will include Rev. Dr. Ryo Imamura, Rev. Ken Yamada and Rev. Ron Kobata. A discussion will include a panel of Buddhist community activists: Andy Noguchi (Florin), Glenn Kameda (Palo Alto), Georgette Imura (Sacramento), and Lorin Kagehiro (Berkeley). The discussion will be moderated by Rev. Kodo Umezu and Julie Yumi Hatta of the BCA Center for Buddhist Education.

"Following the historic election and now, the inauguration of President Barack Obama, many in society, including Buddhists, are reviewing our personal role and participation in this new era. This panel and interactive forum will explore these questions," comments Rev. Kodo Umezu, Director of the BCA Center for Buddhist Education.

A ministerial panel will provide an overview of Buddhist approaches throughout history. Rev. Dr. Ryo Imamura (Buddhist Church of Florin, founding member of Buddhist Peace Fellowship) will discuss the roots of Buddhism and social engagement, beginning with the historical Buddha. Rev. Ken Yamada (Berkeley Higashi Honganji) will talk about how Jodo Shinshu has inspired social activism throughout history. Rev. Ron Kobata (Buddhist Church of San Francisco) will comment on contemporary thinkers who incorporate Buddhist principles, such as Eckhart Tolle (A NEW EARTH).